Read Leprechaun in Late Winter for Free Online Page B

spell!
    “Leave here at once!” the High King commanded Jack and Annie in a squeaky voice. “You were not invited! You have no business here!”
    “Yes, we are leaving right away. But Augusta has to come with us!” Annie called. “Thank you!”
    “She’s right!” said Jack. “Augusta has to come with us, please. Thank you!”
    “No! I want to stay here!” said Augusta. “I’m not good for anything at home! Mary was right, I’m not happy there!”
    Jack was amazed—Augusta
wasn’t
under a spell. She really wanted to stay with the Shee!
    “The girl will stay with us!” the High King shouted. “Go, now!
Now!
”
    “No way!” Jack blurted out. “We won’t leave without Augusta!”
    The crowd gasped.
    “What?” roared the High King.
    “Sorry, sorry,” said Jack. “I meant—”
    “You will pay for this rudeness!” the king yelled.
    Before Jack and Annie could get away, the king thrust out his arm. Sparks flew from the tips of his tiny fingers. Suddenly Jack and Annie couldn’t move their arms or legs!
    The king kept pointing at them. “Skunks?” he shouted at the crowd. “Or weasels?”

    “Neither, please! Thank you!” shouted Jack. He was glad he could still talk!
    But the crowd began chanting in strange, high voices, “Skunks! Skunks! Skunks!”
    The king nodded and raised both arms into the air. Jack was desperate. He didn’t want to live the rest of his life as a skunk!
    “Wait! Please!” Jack shouted. “I’m sorry I was rude! Before you change us, I really, really need to tell Augusta some things! Thank you!”
    The king looked at Jack for a long moment. Then he lowered his arms, and the crowd grew silent.
    “Thank you!” said Jack. “Augusta, listen to me! You should go back home. You’re good for lots of things back there! You’re very kind! And Mary said you have a brave heart and a fine mind! Those are really good things to have!”
    Tears rolled down Augusta’s cheeks. She shook her head.
    “Listen to me, please!” Jack went on. “Marysays you’re not happy. But some things do make you happy, Augusta. You said you feel close to nature! You said you love simple folk like Mary. And I know you love stories, too! Mary said you remembered every story she told you! You used to tell them yourself, word for word! You have a great memory!”
    “He’s right, Augusta!” yelled Annie. “Those are your gifts! You need to give your gifts to the world!”
    Augusta was still for a moment. Then she shook her head. “I want to stay!” she said.
    “You have had your say!” the High King shouted at Jack and Annie. “Now prepare to become skunks!” He raised his arms again.
    Oh, no!
thought Jack.
    “Wait, Finvara!” said the High Queen.
    The High Queen stepped closer to Augusta. The queen wore a silver cloak that glittered with diamonds. She had jewels in her long red hair that shone like stars. Her high, clear voice rang like a bell. “I am Queen Aine of the Shee,” she said. “Theboy said you love stories—and that you remember every story you hear. Is this true?”
    Augusta nodded.
    “Then listen now to
our
story,” said Queen Aine.
    All the Shee were very still, watching Augusta and their queen.
    “In the morning of time, out of a rosy sky and a windy light, we came,” said Queen Aine. “We were tribes of a supernatural people called the Tuatha Dé Danann. Strong, fearless, and noble we were. Five roads carried our armies through the wild, wooded lands of Ireland, and for eons we ruled the Irish world.
    “But when the humans came, the wild woods gave way to villages and pastures. Our tribes hid in the hollow hills, in ruined forts, and under the sea. Over time we made ourselves smaller and smaller so we could more easily hide from humans.
    “Eventually we became known as the Shee, and we were mocked as the Wee Folk of Faerie. But, in truth, we are a tribe of the great Tuatha DéDanann, and we live in enchanted places like this one, protected by what is left of